Mar 14 Mohawk Radio @ The Deaf institute

Mohawk Radio shoot from the hip at this gig to launch their new EP and provide with a lifetime of sunshine...

Words: Anthony Firmin, Photos: Cai Dixon

Tonight’s the night for Mohawk Radio with what is possibly the most important day so far in their career - a sold out show at the Deaf Institute and a brand new EP released too, namely Shoot From The Hip. Before the main event, however, there were a trio of interesting and complementary acts to entertain us…

Due to her early start I only manage to catch the last song of Liverpool based singer/songwriter Katie Mac’s set, a song which slowly elevated to a wonderful peak and so she becomes another artist I will definitely need to see again. Ideal Forgery describe themselves as an alt-rock band, and their list of influences suggest as much, but their music is not as angst driven nor as intense; their songs come across gracefully but with an inner strength. The final warm-up act is Jess Kemp and I am really enjoying her powerful indie pop whom our photographer describes as “amazing”. Her voice is powerful and evocative, another must see artist.

It must have been at least five years ago when I stumbled upon the Mohawk’s opening for the legendary George Borowski (although I think everyone ended up as equals when the running order became somewhat mangled) and I have religiously followed them since. Through periods of silence and uncertainty, US tours, a line-up change and now this EP.

And tonight, like a juicy steak on a flaming grill, Mohawk Radio are sizzling. From old favourites like Lifetime Sunshine through to the new material like On Your Knees, the band is giving it 100% and the crowd are with them 100% of the way. They play straight rock unashamedly with a commercial edge; is it both infectious and addictive. Even during the final song, Eyes Wide Shut, singer Mia Page’s distinctive vibrato vocals are bang on target and the band remain tight.

Surely, as this south Manchester band move forward, their eyes cannot be anything other than wide open and the world needs touch that dial and tune in to Mohawk Radio!